Our tradition tells us that as Jews, we can enjoy the pleasures of the world, but in an appropriate manner. By connecting our love of Torah and its values with love of fashion, we aim to do just that, and to show that clothing doesn’t define the man-or woman -but we define our clothing, using it to make a statement about how to live a life of mitzvot.

Entry Narrative

There were 3 grades involved:

I. 12GH- בין אדם לחבירו : Clothing Made into the Modern World– Creating and modeling clothing based on a Mitzvah. How do we go into the modern world while using our values?

Fashion line about morals: Wearing our Values. You will be creating a fashion line by understanding the הלכה sources and reflecting those morals into real life

B. A written essay must be submitted with the fashion design. Essay should include:

Connection to מצוה

Understanding of sources

Connection to real life scenario

C. Product must steer clear of any stereotypical fabrics/sayings/design

אהבה- Example: No hearts, No satin

מלבין את פני חבירו ברבים: No white or red but maybe ombre

Process

Individual work:

Include an explanation of your outfit with a connection to what we learned in class.

Introduction: Outfit explanation

Second Paragraph: Explanation of Mitzvah

Third-Sixth Paragraph: Connect each outfit piece to specific components of Mitzvah. MUST INCLUDE SOURCE!!!

Seventh Paragraph- Closing

2. Begin creating your line:

Using the material given to you and that you brought it, bring your creation to life. Glue stuff, Die It, Fringe it, Inside out, Paint it, Grommet it, Photoshop it, Iron it…..

3. Fashion show prep:

The class will be giving each other feedback on your line before the fashion show to ensure the outfit accurately describes the מצוה. Presentation and Drafting Skills will be worked on!

II. 9GH- תורה : In connection to our studies of משה being a hero, 9th graders were tasked with the mission of finding a cause worthy for them to stand up for. We used the “It’s Up to Us” curriculum and spoke about attributes of every day heros. Class discussion, homework assignments, and group work opened the way for their fears and passions to shine through. In groups, students chose a social action plan. They wrote a public service announcement as well as created an image. That image was screen printed on to their T-shirts which was modeled at the Fashion Show.

Screen print their PSAs on T-shirts: “You could look good, you could feel good but you have to be good.“

III. 11G1- Torah :Pursuit of Justice– As Americans, we are brought up with a strong sense of social justice and morality. However, the secular world lacks the spiritual goal of having consciousness of God and living in a sanctified manner. We learn חומש not only to know right and wrong, reward and punishment but also to be inspired by the prophetic messages of the תורה.

Deuteronomy Rabbah 5.3:

This is what scripture says: “To do righteousness and justice is preferred by the Lord above sacrifice” [Proverbs 21:3]. It is not written here “like sacrifice,” but “above sacrifice.” In connection to our intense study on עשרת הדברים, students were to:

Understand the פשט of עשרת הדברים

Understand the פשט of the חוקים ומשפטים section

Compare the 2 sections and find similarities

Apply to every day life

Students were given a Playlist in order to complete their work on their own pace.

Weekly meetings with Naomi Weiss (mentor to the MDYHS faculty) and Tikvah Weiner (former CAO at MDYHS) were where the ideas brewed, were created, reiterated and perfected. Their guidance and constant support is what made this event successful.